Lead AI Scientist in Edinburgh

Lead AI Scientist in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead AI projects, design innovative solutions, and mentor junior team members.
  • Company: Join Lloyds Banking Group, a leader in AI transformation.
  • Benefits: Generous pension, annual bonus, 30 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on continuous learning and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact with cutting-edge AI technology in a diverse environment.
  • Qualifications: Master's or PhD in relevant STEM field and extensive AI/ML experience.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

LOCATION: London, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh

WORKING PATTERN: Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in one of the offices above.

About this opportunity: As a Lead AI Scientist at Lloyds Banking Group, you will be an expert practitioner at the forefront of the Group's AI transformation. In this role, you will lead the technical delivery of cutting‑edge artificial intelligence, machine learning, and generative AI solutions, guiding their application to drive business value while ensuring ethical and responsible implementation. You will work within the AI Centre of Excellence, collaborating with diverse teams to solve complex financial challenges and create innovative, customer‑centric banking solutions.

Role Responsibilities:

  • AI Solution Design: Lead the development of AI use‑case solution designs, balancing innovation with practicality. Apply appropriate data science techniques to develop and/or tune models and evaluate performance.
  • Project Delivery: Oversee the entire data science / AI delivery lifecycle, from data exploration to model development/tuning to deployment, monitoring, and performance optimisation using ML and AI Ops best practices.
  • Collaboration: Lead and work within cross‑functional teams comprising of business leaders, product managers, data scientists, data engineers and ML/AI engineers.
  • Responsible AI Governance: Partner with the Responsible AI team to embed robust ethical principles, bias mitigation techniques, and regulatory compliance into all AI development workflows.
  • Team Mentorship: Coach and mentor junior data scientists and AI engineers, helping to grow team capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity.
  • Continuous Learning: Maintain an active view of emerging tools and techniques. Develop proof‑of‑concepts to demonstrate new capabilities. Guide the team in solving complex AI use cases and improving existing approaches.

What you'll need:

  • Extensive experience developing and deploying AI systems and machine learning models in a production environment.
  • Master's or PhD (preferred) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or relevant STEM field.
  • Deep knowledge of AI/ML concepts, algorithms, and techniques, including Generative AI, Agentic AI and reinforcement learning.
  • Strong proficiency in programming languages, particularly Python.
  • Expertise in AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch/TensorFlow, Scikit‑learn, Statsmodels, LangGraph and ADK.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (preferably Google Cloud Platform and Vertex AI).
  • Strong analytical, critical thinking, and complex problem‑solving abilities.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to convey business information from technical subject matter.
  • A high degree of ethical awareness, with an understanding of AI ethics, risk mitigation, and bias detection.
  • Adaptability and a passion for continuous learning to keep up with the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

About working for us: Our focus is to ensure we're inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative. And it's why we especially welcome applications from under‑represented groups. We're disability confident. So, if you'd like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know.

We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:

  • A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
  • An annual bonus award, subject to Group performance
  • Share schemes including free shares
  • Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
  • 30 days' holiday, with bank holidays on top
  • A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Want to do amazing work, that’s interesting and makes a difference to millions of people? Join our journey.

Lead AI Scientist in Edinburgh employer: Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets ethical responsibility in AI. With a strong commitment to employee growth, inclusive culture, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous pension contributions and flexible lifestyle benefits, our team members thrive while making a meaningful impact in the financial sector. Join us in our journey of transformation and be part of a diverse team that values continuous learning and collaboration.

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Contact Details:

Lloyds Banking Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead AI Scientist in Edinburgh

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the AI field! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences where you can chat with industry experts. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Show Off Your Skills

Create a portfolio showcasing your AI projects and solutions. Whether it's GitHub repos or case studies, having tangible evidence of your work can really impress potential employers. Don’t forget to highlight any innovative approaches you've taken!

Ace the Interview

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your AI knowledge and problem-solving skills. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as communication is key. Remember, they want to see how you think, so don’t be afraid to talk through your thought process.

Apply Through Our Website

When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website! It shows your enthusiasm and gives us a chance to see your application in the best light. Plus, it’s the quickest way to get your foot in the door!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead AI Scientist in Edinburgh

AI Solution Design
Machine Learning
Generative AI
Data Science Techniques
Project Delivery
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Responsible AI Governance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for AI:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and machine learning shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission to drive innovation in banking through cutting-edge technology.

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in AI systems and machine learning models. We love seeing specific examples of your work, especially those that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to lead projects.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the Lead AI Scientist role.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lloyds Banking Group

Know Your AI Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI and machine learning concepts, especially those mentioned in the job description like Generative AI and reinforcement learning. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these techniques and how they drove business value.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Lead AI Scientist, you'll be expected to guide teams and mentor junior staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Emphasise Ethical AI Practices

Given the importance of responsible AI governance, be prepared to discuss how you've implemented ethical principles and bias mitigation techniques in your previous work. This shows that you understand the broader implications of AI in finance and are committed to responsible practices.

Be Ready for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to AI solution design and project delivery. Brush up on your programming skills, particularly in Python, and be ready to explain your approach to model development, tuning, and performance optimisation using best practices.